It's time for Blackpool to put out the flags to honour our VE Day 75 heroes

Although all the big national events to mark 75 years since the end of the Second World War have had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown, The Gazette is joining the calls to put out the flags and bunting to mark the historic day.

Brits have already shown their wartime spirit by knuckling down and observing the lockdown to save lives and pulling together to aid the NHS with donation of protective equipment.

Now they can fly the flag on Friday by decorating their windows to honour those who fought for freedom against the fascist dictators from 1939 to 1945.

The plan to hoist the Union Flags and red, white and blue bunting has been welcomed on the Fylde coast.

Among those celebrating will be the hoteliers of Hull Road who are to hold a socially-distanced street party on the day.

Paula Brown from the Craimar Hotel said they would be each having picnic tables outside their hotels, one of their DJ friends will be supplying 1940s style music and the picnics will have a wartime style menu.

She said: “We have some friends coming too, but everyone will be maintaining social distancing. Most of us are dressing up in 40s style and we will be putting out the flags and bunting.

“It’s an important event and we wanted to celebrate it despite coronavirus.”

Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard said: “I know many people were looking forward to celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE day and showing respect for all those who served and gave their lives.

“There are, however, important reasons why we can’t come together right now.

“But, that doesn’t mean we cannot still mark the occasion. Flying the flag is a wonderful idea and I hope as many people as possible will roll out the bunting and the Union Flag for this important occasion.”

Liz Clayton, secretary, treasurer and standard bearer for the Blackpool Burma Star Association which tends the war memorial arboretum at Bispham, said as many of the Second World War veterans were in their 90s and over 100, this 75th anniversary might be the last big one graced by their presence.

She said: “We had so many events planned for VE Day, as well as for Armed Forces Week, that have had to be cancelled – it is a real shame.

“Especially as for our wonderful veterans, there are so few of them around now and we might not get another chance like this to honour them .

“But they, like many of us, are in vulnerable groups when it comes to coronavirus and must stay in self-isolation.

“It would be a wonderful gesture if people could show their support on Friday by flying the flag or decorating their front window. I know it is difficult to get hold of a flag with the shops being shut, but people could find that wartime spirit and ‘make do and mend’ as people had to by making their own.”

Blackpool South MP Scott Benton said: “We all owe a huge debt to those who sacrificed so much during the war years and I urge everyone to take part in two minutes of silence to remember them.

“Despite self-isolation and no street parties, I will certainly be celebrating this special anniversary and flying the Union Flag.

“Against the backdrop of the country’s biggest crisis since the Second World War, I hope everyone will take part flying a flag or putting some bunting up.

“It’s a great opportunity for those at home to get children involved making their own bunting and teach the next generation about this important day.”

The Royal British Legion has announced a programme of activity to mark the anniversary on Friday for people to take part in from home starting with two minutes silence at 11am.

The Royal British Legion’s community fundraiser for Lancashire, Alan Whitmore, said: “We are grateful to anyone who wishes to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day and pay tribute to our Second World War generation.

“It’s heart-warming to see the groundswell of support that is growing amongst communities across Lancashire, and we would like to thank the Blackpool Gazette for really getting behind the occasion by encouraging people to decorate their houses.

“It should form a wonderful backdrop to the official Legion activity, from the two-minute silence through to the UK-wide rendition of ‘We’ll Meet Again’ just after the Queen’s address to the nation at 9pm.

“We know the people of Lancashire will be marking this special anniversary and we will be looking at further opportunities to commemorate the end of the Second World War again once Covid-19 restrictions are no longer in place.”

What's on for VE Day 75:

11am National two minutes’ silence and remembrance.

11.02am Royal British Legion VE Day 75 Livestream on its website sharing stories and memories from those who served.

8pm BBC One and the Legion host an evening of memories and music.

9pm The Queen will speak to the nation, at the exact time her father, King George VI, made his radio address to the nation in 1945 to announce victory in Europe after what he called “nearly six years of suffering and peril”

Then the show will hold a moment of celebration and thanksgiving during the programme with a UK-wide rendition of Vera Lynn’s wartime classic ‘We’ll Meet Again’.